Early Literacy 

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program

Ongoing program

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national program that is intended to promote reading together with your child. The more words and books a child is exposed to in their early years, the more likely they are to love reading! Research has shown that infants start taking in information around them almost immediately, so it is never too early to start!

This program is an amazing way to encourage literacy and a love of words. Give your child important skills as well as create some wonderful memories of reading together. 

What’s this all about? 

Our program is simple: 

• SIGN UP online using the Registration Form or come into the library.
• RECORD AND READ: You just have to keep track of the number of books, not the titles.
  • If you read the same book again and again, it counts each time you read it!  
  • You can download and print the sheets below, ask for sheets at the youth services desk, or download the free app called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten in any app store! 
• TURN IN YOUR READING SHEETS: Each time you reach 100 books, turn in your sheet and get another or just show us your app. 
  • For every 100 books you read together, you’ll get a sticker and a little bag of Mega-Blocs so you can build up a collection! You’ll also get to put your name on our counting wall!
• MILESTONES 
  • 500 books= a free picture book 
  • 1,000 books = awesome community coupon for a Flatbread Pizza! 
• THAT’S ALL...Well, except that you and your child will have cuddle time, build literacy skills, and learn new things.  

How can we read 1000 books!?! 

If you read just one book a day, you will reach 1000 in less than 3 years! 

When can I start? 

You can start any month or at any time of year from the moment your child is born. Just come in and ask us! The idea is just to have read the 1,000 books before your child starts kindergarten. 

What do we read?

Anything you’d like! Need some fresh ideas for books? Ask us! We can also curate a selection of books that we would recommend for you to pick up at the circulation desk. You can request those online at the Personalized Pick-Up Form or send us an email ys@amesburylibrary.org

MOTHER GOOSE ON THE LOOSE 

NEXT SESSION: We will see you in the spring!

• THIS IS AN OUTDOOR PROGRAM.
• We’ll be in the side yard of the library.
• We’ll have some blankets, but feel free to bring your own.
• If the weather is terrible, we will cancel. Please check our social media and calendar for updates in case of bad weather.
• Please dress accordingly for the weather.
• No registration is required.

What is Mother Goose on the Loose? 

Mother Goose on the Loose is an early literacy program that uses rhymes and songs to help pre-reading children get ready for reading. It incorporates music, movement, ritual, repetition, positive reinforcement, developmental tips, nursery rhymes, illustrations, puppets, musical instruments, colored scarves, and book reading into a fun-filled thirty-minute session for children with their parent or caregiver. See www.mgol.org for more information. 

Do I need to register?

No. Registration is not necessary. Just come by and bring a blanket to sit on! 

Can I bring my child to all sessions? 

Certainly! Infants and babies love repetition. You will hear many of the same songs and rhymes. However, for each session we read different books and change a couple of rhymes or songs. This program is designed for you to attend as much as you and your baby are able (around nap times, of course!).

I have an older child. What do I do? 

You can all come! We have plenty of room in our outdoor programming space. While preschoolers usually love this program as well, you can also bring a stuffie or doll for them so that they can do the bouncing rhymes and other movements along with you and your younger child.  

My child won’t sit still for half an hour. Can I come? 

No young child can sit still for that long! At this age, kids do wander, crawl, or otherwise occupy themselves and we expect this. Your child, however, can still hear your voice, so if you keep singing and rhyming, your child will certainly be benefiting from the program! We also move around during the program as well! With the open space of our yard, walking around doesn’t disturb us at all. We only ask that if your child gets very upset, you step away if needed, and make sure that they don’t take the puppets or props that we’re using for the program.

What if I can’t make it, or it’s winter and programs aren’t offered? 

• Come into the library and check out a Mother Goose on the Loose Kit to do at home! 
• The Mother Goose on the Loose website and YouTube channel can help.
• The album can also be found on Spotify! Just search for Mother Goose on the Loose.

Sensory Play

NEXT SESSION: TBA

• This is aimed at babies and toddlers 0-23 months old and their caregivers.
• It is a social time for both adults and kids.
• It's outside!
• We'll have some blankets, but bring one if you have it.
• If the weather is terrible, we will cancel. Please check our social media and calendar for updates in case of bad weather.

What is sensory play? 

Sensory play is encouraging play that allows kids to explore with all five senses. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers all naturally feel, taste, examine, sniff, and listen to the world. Sensory items are often simple ways of creating more texture and variety for kids to explore in all those ways.   

Why sensory play? 

Sensory play helps developing brains. We use our senses every day to make decisions and gather information. The desire to engage with sensory play comes naturally for children and should be encouraged and supported both at home and in early learning environments. 

According to Goodstart Early Learning, other reasons sensory play is beneficial for children include: 

• It helps to build nerve connections in the brain.
• It encourages the development of motor skills.
• It supports language development.
• It encourages "scientific thinking" and problem solving.
• It can involve mindful activities, which are beneficial for all children.

What are examples of sensory play at the library? 

At our play time, we will have things like homemade sensory bottles, ribbons in colanders, Ping-Pong balls in whisks, and different textured materials. We try to keep the items simple so that you can easily do them at home. In warmer weather, we will also have water to play in and bubbles.  

Can I do sensory play at home?

Taming Little Monster blog (contains ads) has a great list of sensory play ideas that can be done at home.

Sign Language and Babies

Why should I use sign language with my baby?

Babies can start to sign as young as 6 months, so sign language allows them to communicate sooner than with speech. This can prevent frustration and break downs. It also stimulates the language development going on in the brain and is a great way to teach your child vocabulary from another language.

Is there a difference between ASL and baby signing?

Used by the deaf community, American Sign Language (ASL) involves grammar and uses a specific word order. Baby signing is often done with speaking parents and children so that the word is said and signed at the same time. Baby signing also uses individual signs instead of teaching the language structure.  

Resources

Baby Sign Language from My Signing Time
Contains information on how to start, dictionaries, and great free resources. 

Baby Sign and Learn Apps
Free apps to download with tutorials and a dictionary

Enhancing Early Communication Through Infant Sign Training
Article from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis